Barcode Generator
Generate scannable barcodes in CODE128, EAN-13, UPC, CODE39, and more — styled and sized to fit, downloadable instantly.
What is a Barcode Generator?
A barcode encodes data — a product number, a serial code, a piece of text — as a pattern of parallel bars a scanner can read back instantly. This generator builds that pattern from whatever value is entered, in the format chosen, and renders a barcode that can be scanned straight from a screen or downloaded and printed onto packaging, labels, or inventory tags.
Nine formats are supported, each suited to a different use case: CODE128 for general text and alphanumeric data, EAN-13/EAN-8 and UPC-A for retail products, CODE39 for inventory and asset tracking, ITF-14 for shipping cartons, MSI for warehouse and inventory systems, Codabar for older logistics and library systems, and Pharmacode for pharmaceutical packaging. Picking the right format matters — a retail barcode scanner expects EAN-13 or UPC, not CODE128, even though both are technically "barcodes."
GuideHow to use it
What each format is for
CODE128 accepts any text or number and is the most flexible option — the default choice unless a specific standard is required. EAN-13, EAN-8, and UPC-A are fixed-length numeric formats used on retail products worldwide, each ending in a checksum digit the generator calculates automatically. CODE39 supports letters, numbers, and a handful of symbols, making it common for internal asset tags. ITF-14 is used on shipping cartons and pallets, MSI on warehouse shelf labels, Codabar on older library and blood-bank systems, and Pharmacode on pharmaceutical packaging where only the numeric value itself needs to be readable.
Why it helpsFeatures & benefits
Why this runs entirely in your browser
Every barcode is drawn locally in JavaScript and never sent to a server. There's no upload step and no external API call to generate the pattern, which means the tool keeps working without a network connection once the page has loaded, and nothing typed into it persists anywhere after the tab is closed.
Getting a barcode that scans reliably
Keep strong contrast between the bar and background colors — dark bars on a light background scan most reliably across scanner types. Don't shrink a barcode below the point where individual bars are still clearly separated, since a scanner that can't resolve each bar will fail to read it. When printing, test a sample scan at the actual print size before producing a full batch, since what looks fine on screen doesn't always hold up once printed smaller.
Frequently asked questions
A few things people usually want to know before generating a barcode.
Use EAN-13 or UPC-A — these are the standard formats retail scanners expect, and each includes an automatically calculated checksum digit.
Formats like EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC, and ITF-14 require an exact numeric length. If the value entered doesn't match, the barcode can't be generated until it does.
SVG is resolution-independent and stays crisp at any print size — best for labels and packaging. PNG and JPG are fixed-resolution images, fine for screens or quick use.
Yes. Both the bar and background colors are adjustable — just keep strong contrast between them so the code still scans reliably.
No. Every barcode is generated locally in the browser. Nothing is sent to a server or saved after the tab is closed.